Heretic” is a horror film that revolves around two young Mormon women, Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton, who find themselves trapped in the home of a sinister man named Mr. Reed. The film explores themes of faith, religion, and psychological manipulation while incorporating elements of violence and suspense.
Sex & Nudity
- Mild sexual content: The film includes strong crude sexual conversations that involve graphic discussions about pornography, penis size, condoms, and masturbation.
- Bullying scene: There is a moment where a woman is “pantsed,” but nothing explicit is shown as she wears tights underneath.
Violence & Gore
- Moderate violence: The movie features infrequent scenes of throat slashings, stabbings, and the severing of a finger with brief bloody detail.
- Graphic depictions: There are instances of strong bloodshed and gory aftermath injury details, including throat-slicing with blood dribbling out, an arm being sliced open, and characters being threatened with blades.
- Psychological tension: The film maintains a sense of menace as the two women are psychologically manipulated by Mr. Reed.
Profanity
- None to mild language: Language usage is infrequent and includes terms like “effin,” “damn,” “hell,” “ass,” “peen,” and “balls.”
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
- None present: There are no references to alcohol or drug use in the film.
Frightening & Intense Scenes
- Moderate intensity: The film contains suspenseful moments with demonic imagery and extended conversations regarding religion that may be unsettling for some viewers.
- Imprisonment theme: The two women are trapped in cages at one point, which adds to the overall tension of the narrative.
Positive Content
- While there are no clear positive role models in the traditional sense, the resilience shown by the two young women against their oppressor can be seen as admirable.
Diverse Representations
- The main characters are predominantly White; however, they are portrayed as intelligent individuals with agency. Their faith as Mormons is treated respectfully throughout the film.
In summary, “Heretic” presents a blend of horror elements intertwined with discussions on faith and belief while featuring moderate levels of violence and mild sexual content. It challenges viewers to reflect on deeper themes amidst its suspenseful narrative.
